Pippen set All-Star example for Deng

Bulls forward following in distinguished footsteps

February 23, 2012|By K.C. Johnson, Chicago Tribune reporter

On Oct. 5, 2004, the day Luol Deng officially began his Bulls tenure with double practice sessions under coach Scott Skiles, Scottie Pippen retired from his Hall of Fame career in a low-key ceremony at the Berto Center.

Pippen didn't completely disappear. He hung around that training camp and made occasional appearances that season, even drilling Deng, then a gangly 19-year-old with just one season at Duke, in workouts that produced as much substance as sweat.

"He helped me so much that first year," Deng recalled. "I could've gone somewhere else where I was just allowed to do whatever. But he showed me a lot of discipline. I still remember those days like yesterday. He knows that."

Pippen's 17-year run featured six NBA championships, seven All-Star games, two Olympic gold medals and 10 straight all-defensive team appearances. Beyond those honors, his two-way presence and high basketball IQ cemented his inclusion as one of the league's 50 greatest players.

And he helped Deng any way he could.

"I just tried to share whatever wisdom I had with him," Pippen recalled. "You could see he had all the tools to be a great player."

And so, finally, has the rest of the NBA. Tabbed as a budding All-Star following his breakout third season in 2006-07, Deng endured back-to-back injury-plagued seasons that raised questions about his durability.

That's why, as one of Tom Thibodeau's most indispensable parts now, Deng is reveling in his first All-Star selection. In his eighth season, Deng, 26, flew on a chartered jet Thursday afternoon with Thibodeau, the entire Bulls coaching staff and Derrick Rose to Orlando, Fla.

The Bulls have two All-Stars for the first time since Pippen and Michael Jordan helped the East to a 12-point victory on Feb. 9, 1997, in Cleveland.

"Honestly, I don't know what to expect," Deng said. "Hopefully, it helps your confidence being around all those great players. I have a lot of friends and family going, so I'm just planning to enjoy the experience."

Deng was joking with Rose late Wednesday night about what he needed to bring to the league's extravaganza since Rose is making his third straight appearance. When Rose told him a nice suit, Deng, one of the team's sharpest dressers, playfully frowned.

Pippen remembers what that first All-Star experience is like. Named a reserve as a 24-year-old in his third season, Pippen scored four points in 12 minutes as the East won the 1990 game in Miami.

"It does so much for your confidence," Pippen said. "You've proven you're one of the elite players in the game. Then, the goal is to do it year in and year out. You don't want to be a one-and-done. You want to be an All-Star consistently."

Pippen played in seven All-Star games, teaming up five times with Jordan, who was on his baseball hiatus the other two years. Pippen understands the value for a franchise to place more than one player in the game.

"It gives the team more respect around the league," Pippen said. "This team has done well the last couple years, but no longer can you point to just one player. Lu has definitely earned this right. He has done a great job putting the work in to become a complete player."

Pippen, whether he wants to take credit for it or not, helped start Deng on this path. And when Pippen takes his seat at the game Sunday, he can smile at the tradition of Bulls All-Star small forwards that Deng is upholding, from Bob Love to Pippen to Deng.

"I always say hi to Pip, and if I ever need to sit down with him I'm sure he'd say something," Deng said. "We have a relationship where we're cool."